I have switched from using the heating core to using the rose nail. It leaves just a tiny hole in your cake, no having to cut the core to the size of you cake layer etc. On the rose nail you just lightly grease the head top and bottom, lay it top side down in the middle of your pan and pour in your cake batter. Check to see it is still centered after adding your batter and then bake the cake as usual. When the cake has cooled enough to turn it out onto the cooling rack just carefully lift the rose nail out. I do use the wet baking strips on the sides of my pans as well. Between the strips and the rose nail I get nice level cakes every time. I use the rose nail in every cake pan size, from the 6" up to the 16".

Does the flower nail really work? I suppose there's no harm in trying it, but do you actually see any difference? It's so small. I have a 16" square bottom tier of a carrot wedding cake coming up, and I was assuming I'd have to use a core. I was just wondering if anyone thought a nail would work instead.

Ok, so I don't mean to sound dumb, but I have no idea what a rose nail is. Been to both the hardware store and the flower shop with no luck. It may have to do with me being in South Africa. Please could someone post a picture so that I can take it with me and get one, I am dying to try it!!!!!!

Ok, so I don't mean to sound dumb, but I have no idea what a rose nail is. Been to both the hardware store and the flower shop with no luck. It may have to do with me being in South Africa. Please could someone post a picture so that I can take it with me and get one, I am dying to try it!!!!!!

Does the flower nail really work? I suppose there's no harm in trying it, but do you actually see any difference? It's so small. I have a 16" square bottom tier of a carrot wedding cake coming up, and I was assuming I'd have to use a core. I was just wondering if anyone thought a nail would work instead.

Yes, it works, just use multiple flower nails for that size cake. Use one in the middle, then go out about 4" from the center nail placing more nails around it.